Fitness isn’t just about body transformation, it’s about more than just the “after” and “before” pictures. Behind the fit body of women who have lost, gained or just want to stay fit is an inspiring story that has made them work hard and feel content with what they have achieved in terms of fitness. But some true stories are often left unsaid because the glitz and glamor of the social media world drives us away from reality. With that, the story loses its purpose. We don’t want that to happen, so we bring you REAL fitness stories from 5 women who’ve had their fair share of struggles on their journey to fitness.
Behind the phone screens are real women struggling, giving up, falling and then getting back up to achieve their fitness goals. No story is like the other. That just goes to show that each of you is different and the results would be different! Nonetheless, here are 5 inspiring real women who shared with us their fitness journey and the changes they’ve experienced post-workout.
Shweta Bhadana: I didn’t stop because of my mental and physical health
After her first pregnancy, she gained a whopping 30 kilos, which made her uncomfortable. She couldn’t breathe properly and it affected her mentally, which was the turning point for Shweta! “I started exercising a few months into my pregnancy. It was my first time exercising and I felt relieved. I felt more confident in my own skin after losing about 20 pounds in two months,” she says.
Soon after, she became pregnant for the second time and reached 98 kilos. “The whole problem came up and I started having problems again. However, I started going to the gym and eating healthy to maintain a healthy weight.”
She struggled with cardio in the beginning but didn’t give up because she wanted to stay mentally and physically fit. Throughout her journey, she felt discouraged every time someone approached her and asked her weight, but she didn’t stop. It’s now part of her routine!
“I may have felt demotivated at times, but I didn’t stop because of my physical and mental health, which has suffered drastically.”
Also read: 5 solutions for new moms who want to lose weight after giving birth
Dineshwori Longjam: I trained to stay happy and look beautiful
The Covid-19 lockdown has made us all lazy and Dineshwori’s story is no different. As the coronavirus became the new normal, she gained a lot of weight without realizing she had gained that much weight. “I reached XL from Medium and suffered from severe acne, so I consulted a dermatologist who suggested I need to lose weight as that was the root cause of the problem.”
This motivated her to hit the gym and within two months she lost about 5 pounds with a proper exercise program and diet. “Medication helped clear my acne, regular exercise and a healthy diet helped me regain the glow on my face. Despite my busy schedule, I continue to exercise regularly and eat healthily. I’m medium height again and no one can guess my age (40 years) from my skin,” she adds.
Be active, eat healthy and smile more…I now strictly follow this mantra to stay happy and look beautiful is her message to anyone and everyone struggling to find a way to be fit.
Varsha Vats: The training helped me manage my mood swings
Varsha battled Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, and struggled to keep up with the ebbs and flows of her hormones. Despite finding it difficult, she never gave up on her fitness journey.
“My mood swings were my biggest enemy. Cardio isn’t usually much fun for me because it takes my breath away. So I started doing low-intensity exercises. After a few days I started running and did a 30 minute workout.”
PCOS can make you feel discouraged at times when you’re stuck on your weight loss journey, but she didn’t give up. The post-workout glow, no more mood swings, healthy eating, and tackling all things in her daily life with sheer confidence motivated her to stay true to her fitness journey.
Also read: Losing weight with PCOS? 7 Lifestyle Tips You Should Follow
Nikita Chauhan: Used exercise to live my life on my own terms
Nikita realized she needed to start exercising when she realized she couldn’t climb 20 steps without gasping for air. “That day I decided that I’m not going to be a person who depends on anyone or anything for my needs. It was a tough journey, I had no confidence, my clothes didn’t fit, I got sick easily. It turned me into an antisocial extrovert,” she says.
Though it wasn’t an easy path, Nikita slowly and steadily achieved her goals within 6 months after keeping track of everything she was doing. She learned what her body needed and created a positive attitude that helped her achieve better results.
“Keeping yourself healthy or in shape not only helps with positive body image, but it also helps with stress and anxiety, which it did for me. I worry less, I eat what I want and still stay active by exercising! My metabolism is super good now. My legs don’t hurt all the time anymore! my stomach problems gone until I ate all the cheese of course!
“I could see all the differences being made in my body, I could beat my enemy – the stairs, run a mile without gasping for air, and hike more. Focusing on my health and body has been the best decision I’ve made in recent memory. It’s tough, but it’s worth it,” she says.
Satata Karmakar: Helped me stay positive and cope with my health issues
Aware of her physical and mental health, Satata began her training journey to feel more confident and positive! Regular training gave her strength and a lot of energy. It also fixed her posture. She struggled with a cold and cough due to weak immunity, but exercise helped her put everything right.
“Exercise has helped me overcome all mental and physical health challenges. It has not only increased my confidence but also made me happy and positive. If you have a training plan, make it a point not to miss a session. This fixed schedule helped fight loneliness, especially when working from home. I finally had a reason to get ready, go out and meet people. It’s like doing something good for yourself. It’s like you’re investing your time and energy into something that’s only yours,” she says.
Inspired by the transformational journey of these wonderful women? It’s time you jump on the bandwagon to stay healthy and happy.
